Some of the characters have changed but there is still little extra juice in the building when the Suns and Lakers face off. \u00a0 <\/p>\n
Friday February 17 Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Phoenix<\/strong><\/p>\n This year the Phoenix Suns are trying to hang around in the playoff race with a mish mash of a roster. \u00a0Steve Nash is still probably the best pure point in the game but his surrounding cast of characters isn`t what it used to be.<\/p>\n The one thing the Suns have going for them is that they have been pretty good on the road with a 7-10 record. \u00a0This year that is something to celebrate.<\/p>\n The one guy who is not letting Nash down in center Marcin Gortat.<\/p>\n In his second year with the Suns, Gortat has turned into a double-double machine and the only other reliable scoring option for the Suns. \u00a0Phoenix has lost their last three games and also their last three to the Lakers.<\/p>\n The chances of them turning things around on Friday night are slim but they are 2-1-1 ATS against L.A. in recent history.<\/p>\n Los Angeles<\/strong><\/p>\n The Los Angeles Lakers may not be a title favourite but they are always making headlines, with Kobe Bryant moving up the all time scoring list and receiving compliments from the great Larry Bird. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n With new coach Mike Brown at the helm they have quietly become one of the better defensive teams in the league – giving up a scant 90 point per game. \u00a0The Lakers have been miserable on the road but nearly unbeatable at home with a 12-2 record (9-5 ATS)<\/p>\n L.A. is not just a one man team…it is a three man team with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum each averaging double-doubles. \u00a0I know that people are asking what is wrong with Pau but I think the expectations for him may be a little inflated from the Lakers championship days.<\/p>\n Either way, the big problem is that the rest of the squad doesn`t offer much, especially Metta World Peace who seems to have given up on trying to be an effective offensive player.<\/p>\n When the rest of the gang produces this team can compete on an elite level. \u00a0When they don`t it is left to Kobe to save the day – his specialty.<\/p>\n
\nStaples Center – Los Angeles, CA
\n10:30PM
\nMoneyline: \u00a0\u00a0No money line currently listed
\nSpread: \u00a0Phoenix -8.5
\nO\/U: 185.5<\/strong><\/p>\n